OUC in the news   Press/media contacts   Publication library   Knowledge Center   More about OUC		return to archive News Release Orlando Utilities Commission March 2, 2005 Contact: Grant J. Heston, Communications Manager Sheridan Becht | Erika Hodges Water Task Force Makes Recommendation OUC Commissioners, City Council Members Agree OUC Staff to Lead Water Study ORLANDO – The joint water consolidation process task force between OUC and the City of Orlando unanimously agreed today to accept a recommendation from Mayor Buddy Dyer that OUC staff lead a study of water consolidation issues. The task force – comprised of OUC Commissioners Tico Perez and Katie Porta and City Commissioners Vicki Vargo and Betty Wyman -- met today at 10 a.m. in Council chambers. After introductory comments from Commissioner Vargo, OUC Commissioner Perez moved to accept the mayor’s recommendations. In his letter*, Mayor Dyer wrote: “I believe in and trust the OUC General Manager and Staff. I am confident that, working in concert with the City staff and consultants, they are best suited to provide our City with an initial road map on how we should proceed with water resource management issues.” * Click here to see the full letter from Mayor Dyer Following a discussion, the task force unanimously approved the motion for OUC staff to study all consolidation options and report their findings to OUC and the City by October. Commissioners Perez and Porta will recommend to the full OUC board at its March 29 meeting that OUC approve the recommendations in the mayor’s letter. The task force was formed in response to Mayor Dyer's recent proposal to consolidate OUC's water department with the water resources of the City of Orlando. OUC’s award-winning water flows to more than 127,000 local customers. From 1995 – 2003, OUC spent $124 million to upgrade and consolidate its water treatment facilities to ozone. OUC’s eight water plants showcase cutting-edge ozone-treatment technology that produces high-quality, great-tasting tap water. In January, OUC’s water testing laboratory was awarded a two-year accreditation. The lab performs more than 20,000 chemical and bacteriological tests a year to ensure water quality and security for OUC’s customers. Established in 1923 by a special act of the Florida Legislature, OUC—The Reliable One is the second largest municipal utility in Florida. OUC provides electric and water services to more than 196,000 customers in Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties.